First-generation students celebrated at annual awards ceremony

The Lamar University (LU) Office of Strategic Initiatives and the First Gen Connections Advisory Council honored more than 90 graduating seniors and several faculty, staff and student leaders during the First Gen Awards Celebration on May 1 at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center.

The event celebrated first-generation college students and supporters of the university's First Gen Connections program, which provides resources, mentorship and community support to help first-generation students succeed academically and personally.

Graduating seniors from the May and August 2026 classes received First Gen medallions to wear during commencement ceremonies as part of the Persistence Awards recognition.

"It was a pleasure to honor the students for their milestones and perseverance," Dr. Wilma Jackson, chair of the First Gen Connections Advisory Council said. "This is truly a collaborative effort, and we are grateful to the staff and faculty that partner with first gen initiatives."

Accomplishment Awards recognized students, faculty and staff members for their dedication to first-generation student success initiatives.

Award winners included Antonio Lopez Maldonado for Global Impact, William Hammers for Impactful Leadership, Christie M. Luong for Community Service, Mohammed Irhabi for Academic Achievement and Sergio Mendez for Research.

Champion Awards were presented to Dr. Zanthia Smith in the faculty category, Harvest Fairchild in the student category and the Staff Council Student Services Committee in the group category.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Angela Hill, provost and vice president for instruction at Lamar Institute of Technology and a first-generation college graduate. Hill earned two bachelor's degrees from LU before beginning a career in education and higher education leadership focused on student success and mentorship.

The First Gen Connections program aims to ensure all students, including first-generation students, have the tools needed to succeed at LU. At LU, a first-generation student is defined as someone whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree in the United States. The program encourages the LU community to help build a network where first-generation students can thrive and grow.

To learn more about the First-Generation Connections program, visit https://www.lamar.edu/students/student-affairs/strategic-initiatives/first-gen.html.